Day Ten
Prompt: Pirate King AU| Confession
Chosen: Both
This story can be considered a sequel to Kiss That Nuisance, Dear Captain, and Dead Don't Defend Honour. And prequel to, How Do We Announce We Are A Couple? Because in my head this how their love story would progress in canon!
Penguin handed the newspaper to me as soon as I woke up. Was the world burning, or was it Strawhat-ya? My crew had only two fears, apocalypse and Strawhat-ya coming unannounced and emptying our month's ration in a day.
I ignored the paper in my hand and locked my eyes on the curly head. She was having an awfully nice morning, while I suffered the whole night because of her terrible decision to rush at the speed of light underwater! "Coffee!" I offered my empty hand, and Ikkau handed her cup to me with a pout. Bold of you to assume I wouldn't realize you were chasing whales while all of you forced me to sleep! We had been chasing the whales because— apparently the easiest path to All Blue was by following the Sea Kings and the Whales. There was no written evidence, no maps or eternal pose!
All Blue existed, it was at the beginning of all the seas, and it was also at the end of all seas, people were confused if it was at the end of the Red-line or the beginning of Red-line! All of us had to see it. It was on a fine morning three weeks back when Ikkaku happened to talk with vendors and fishermen after she spotted different kinds of marine populations being sold on the islands we were collecting rations from. Having my territories under my banner made sure, we always had food, especially after returning from a five-month-long campaign! This woman spoke to a vendor. Since my entire crew was cursed with curiosity, they kept asking around to understand why species from East Blue and North Blue could be in the same ice-box, all our searches lead us to the word All Blue.
How did we know it existed? The brat who is the Pirate King has been travelling in and out of All Blue! Yet no one knew, how the crew of absolutely selfish children were doing it. If I asked him, he would tell. All I had to do was call him on our private line, but that would rob my crew of the joy of adventure!
Yet, I would have preferred gathering our information and proceeding with caution. None of them was having it! Everything we had heard so far was, to follow the school of Whales, that is being led by a scared whale! And fortune favoured— us, the brave. Ikkaku and Bepo spotted them first, Hakkun confirmed it, and since then for three weeks we were chasing the whales.
We had spent half of that time submerged, fearing being lost at sea, I told them to search for an island. They were not having it, and I was pushed to sleep! Today they were excited!
Jean Bart avoided looking at me, ah, so you played along didn't you— couldn't help yourself to the school of whales! Ever since we got the new ship, and regrouped after the terrible tragedy of losing our first home, I had grown soft! All of them were behaving like toddlers on a school excursion, and I was their haggard teacher.
"Open the newspaper," Uni asked me.
Penguin joined in, "Open the newspaper"
"Is it Strawhat-ya?"
The silence was enough of an answer. It's been two years since he became the Pirate King! The youngest of the worst generation, and the scariest of us all. The only victor who came out of this race to Laugh Tale— Monkey D Luffy.
"Are you not going to read it?" Jean finally gave in.
"Will it change the course of the day's action if I read it after I finish my coffee?" I raised an eyebrow.
"That was my—" Ikkaku shut her complaint.
"Eh?"
"No! Have your coffee." Jean smirked. "I guess you will find it on your own when we stop pestering."
"Yeah, he is totally trying to be, I don't care about Strawhat-ya at all!" Sachi spoke from some corner. The audacity of these rascals!
"Captain, just read it, stop toying with my bitter cold coffee." Ikakaku took my cup away. "I will make you a fresh cup." I spotted Bepo who was on the deck snoozing under the sun. Yes, I needed to recline on his soft belly. He was the best! After settling beside his soft tummy, I opened my newspaper, and my jaws dropped! I read and reread and then looked up! "What the fuck?"
Jean murmured, "Your boyfriend is a handful!"
"He is not my boyfriend! What the fuck!"
"Then why do you have weekly calls? You even mark the calendar! And are we to believe Strawhat marks his calendar for Captain Kid too?" Penguin asked.
"Don't speak of that abomination!"
"Captain, it's okay— we know this long distance has gone forever! Just kiss the boy and put a ring on yourself! And then we can call Strawhat Pirates our kin!" Bepo hugged me. Not you too traitor.
"Here is your coffee, Captain!" Ikkaku handed me a fresh cup.
"So how do we go there?" I asked my crew!
"We follow the whales!"
"I fucking knew it! Whose idea was this? Which smarty-pants has been in communications with Strawhat-ya's crew?" I looked at all twenty of them. All of them were guilty! Why were they so obsessed with me and Strawhat-ya?
Sachi was the first to talk, the guiltiest always confesses first, "Captain! You have only kissed him once!"
"Not o— forget it, whoever I kiss or not is none of your concern!"
Penguin had to talk too, "I get it you were rivals back then and our ship was gone, you didn't have to convey your feelings! But it is all past now! Blackbeard is gone! One Piece has been found, you know the history of the world! What is stopping you?"
"If you can talk to him on for hours, look at the newspaper for his news latest misadventure, why can't you confess!" Because I am scared, you fuckalls! Not that I was going to tell them.
"He is young! Very young."
All twenty of them yelled back, "You are young too!"
"Seven years!"
"Strawhat has seen his brother die at his arms, he has been fighting one war after another, and you think, a confession will bother him? Captiaaaaaan you are chickening out, no?" My three childhood friends and idiots were now hugging me.
"Fine, chase the Whale! Let's go to Pirate King's Banquet! I know it is some trick he pulled with the Mermaid Princess! But my pride will hurt if I follow that piece of paper to All Blue! Charge at full speed!"
"AYE CAPTAIN!"
I knew he was going to come, my Torao, couldn't resist a challenge! There were two ways to come to the Banquet, everyone who got the newspaper, had got an invitation! We had created a viverie card of the island in All Blue! And then there were the Whales! Brook wanted all the Whales of the World to Join Laboon in the party, with the help of Shirahosi, it was possible. Her mermaid magic was sending all the whales of the world to the Banquet.
Though it was my Banquet, it was truthfully Sanji's Banquet! And the greatest cook in the world deserved the greatest guests to show his skills!
"Lu—" Sanji lit his cigarette and looked at me. He was worried a bit,
When he called Lu, it reminded me of Ace. Sometimes I wonder if my brother had not been so busy chasing down the man who disrespected his father's name, would he have stayed and settled down had he looked into Sanji's eyes? I knew he was mesmerized by Sanji, we all are. I was becoming sentimental. Life as Pirate King was great, but sometimes I missed him, in moments of happiness; especially when I Sabo and Koala, sailing the ocean to live their dreams! Why was he not here partying with me, and why was he not here to greet Torao when he comes back from his campaign?
"Yeah."
"He would be proud of you."
"You think?"
"Yeah."
"How do you know?" I couldn't stop myself but pout.
Sanji took a long whiff of his poison and blew the smoke at me, "Because I know!."
"I am your captain! I need to smell nice for Toaro! I am even bathing every day!"
"Then stop mopping around, your boyfriend's ship is chasing the whales!" Of course, he is! I knew it, he couldn't help himself. He had to understand how we made the Whales all rush towards All Blue.
"Did you say, boyfriend?"
"Is he not?"
"..." Last time we spent time together, was after we rescued him and the Bear from the island he had escaped to after Blackbeard hurt him. Once he recovered, and we rescued his crew, he told me he will go down his path to get a ship. Then I saw him at the Marejois during the War. After which he told me he was going to uncover all the history and find the erased histories! Since then, we have spoken on call every week to cross-check our movements. Did this count as a relationship?
"What have you been doing for the last two years?"
"Ah— We haven't discussed anything after the first kiss at Wano! It was a good kiss! There were more kisses after that!"
"LUFFY! I don't want to know about the number of kisses!" Sanji held me by the collar! "You don't kiss and not label relationships with people!"
"But we were breaking up the alliance! I kissed his hands and forehead when we rescued him after Blackbeard's attack!"
"Oi Cook! Why are you abusing the Pirate King!" Zoro joined us too! "What did you do, Luffy? Did you steal from the kitchen? Don't stress him."
"He kissed Law," Sanji told Zoro, who looked at me like I was a brainless pumpkin.
"Yeah, wasn't it two years back?"
Sanji nodded and added more details, "And his hands and forehead!"
"I didn't think you were into hands Luffy!"
"I am not! I love his legs! Maybe I am a bit into the hands, okay? I forgot to tell him we are boyfriends!"
Zoro walked towards us and didn't free me from Sanji's grabs, rather he gently grabbed my hair and lifted my face, he was going to murder me, "Isn't it too late for a realization?"
"Shishishi! I forgot!"
"Confess to him! When he arrives! You know how that guy is! He will overthink himself to death!"
Guests arrived, one after another, and the banquet began! People came and went, even enemies came to fight us! It was fun, Sanji cooking, Chopper, Usopp Nami enjoying by his side and Zoro, Franky, Jimbe, and Robin beating the shit out of people while Brook and I partied like there was no tomorrow!
Franky had built numerous boats and dinghies and floating platforms, for people to sit and enjoy his laser show! Sanji's All Blue was beautiful and bountiful and beautiful! During the day the water shone like sapphires and at night it glittered like someone had dusted it with silver— and under the clear water, there were ancient ruins and ancient species, which Sanji told me we were not allowed to eat!
The temporary party location was full of delicious food, music and booze! And laughter!
Still, there was no sign of Torao! Even a stupid Kid had arrived, chasing the Whales on the third day of Banquets! He wanted to fight me, but his crew wanted to party! Then leftover marines came on the third day! They couldn't last against Sanji's cooking. On the fourth day, the entire grand fleet arrived! I wanted to kick them out, but Robin reminded me, that it was against the spirit of the open to all Grand Banquet! So I didn't punch them.
Then they arrived, from under the water in their new submarine, with whales jumping ahead and joining Laboon and his friends on the sixth day. I heard of the new ship of Heart Pirates, and seen its pictures on paper, but I didn't know it was yellow too! When the door opened, he didn't walk out first, rather his crew came out and waved in my direction.
Chopper had rushed to greet Bear and soon all of them were scattered around and
It was Usopp and Nami who had told them in advance about the party, but convincing their captain needed the bait, and he fell for it. Finally, after two years I had him, right where I wanted— in my vision. Then he walked out, taller than he, with five inches of heels! Trousers that just hugged his shapely legs and the infamous black overcoat and his white cap.
His golden eyes fell on me, then his fingers moved, and a blue sphere began to form, "ROOM!"
And poof, we were gone!
For two years we had not seen each other, and only spoke on calls, checking up on each other, and exchanging information. Hence, finding his hands on my waist and my lips glued to his, was not a surprise to anyone who saw. I had hidden us from the eyes of party attendees, and hidden in Strawhat's library.
I missed his lips, I missed the entirety of him— the nuisance! As soon as I saw him, I wanted him, so I stole him. After our mouths had our fill, I pulled away. "I missed you."
Strawhat-ya grinned and opened his mouth, "Be my boyfriend!"
"Are you sure?" Why was I replying to him like I was not worth him? Was I worth him? I should be! That shouldn't be our concern! "You do realize, once I say yes, you can't have anyone else in your heart." I need surety. "Romantic heart! I know you love your crew like I love my crew."
"Toaro—" He pulled my hands to lips, "It's always been you. I have never thought of embracing anyone in my arms." His honesty always blew my mind. "Are you overthinking again?"
"Shut up! I am not." I was.
"Confess to him, captain!" How the fuck were they so fast and so noisy. I wanted to ignore them, but then I turned around! Not only my idiots were here, but his idiots were also here too.
"Luffy did you ask him to be your boyfriend?" The vice-captain of Strawhats asked! We both had issues with boundaries, our personal matter was the crew's headache!
"Yeah! He didn't refuse!" I smacked my boyfriend, correction, yet-to-be boyfriend's head. "I think he loves me!" Thank you, my dear, for running my confession!
Before he could talk more, I pulled his cute face towards me, "ROOOOOOOOOM" and I kissed him again in the empty library. Then I lifted him up in my arms and proceeded towards the couch! After kissing him to my heart's content, he flopped on my lap, "YOU ARE SUPERB AT RUINING ALL MY PLANS!"
"What plan! You had a plan?"
I took his broad rough hand into mine and placed his gift, "I wanted to ask you out properly, I wanted to tell you I love you. But blabbered it all out! Here! Take it!" His eyes were excited.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
"Is it your beating heart? I don't want it! Put it back! Is that why you are wearing an overcoat!"
"What nonsense, do I look deranged to you?" He gave me the eye. I mean, I was slightly better than him at controlling my insanity. "No, it's not my heart." Without leaving my lap, he opened the little box.
"A pearl? I will lose it."
"It is not a pearl."
"What is it?"
"A single drop of a Unicorn."
"We have Unicorns?"
I couldn't help but smile, when he was curious, his eyes twinkled, "Not the kind you find in books, my love."
"So what do I do with it? I will still lose it."
"Eat it."
Okay, that got his attention and he sat up. "What?"
"Eat it?"
"Why?"
"Unicorns are creatures that respect and protect, love unions. And the tears of a unicorn heal all your physical ailments and sorrows of the heart.**"
"You believe this?" Strawhat-ya looked at the shiny white ball in his fingers, "But you are a doctor."
"We don't know until you eat it!"
Again he proved why I loved him, he was kind, and it was worth chasing the island of unicorns for the last five months, I knew his medical condition, he was constantly fighting and getting injured. I would not let him follow Roger's footpath. He was Monkey D Luffy, who was going to live a long healthy life with me, "Then let us halve it!" He smiled.
My hand patted his head and trailed down his neck and took the tear from his fingers gently, and then I shoved it in his mouth before he could complain! And pressed my hands on his until I was sure he had swallowed it. I didn't let him go for a long while.
"That was a violent declaration of love! We could've shared it!"
"Since when do you believe in sharing? You selfish man! Why do you always try to ruin my plan!"
"I always share!"
"Yeah right!"
"I will find a unicorn and get you a hundred tears!"
"NO, YOU WILL NOT!"
"Try to stop me!"
"I will not stop you, but listen to me! It takes a unicorn a hundred years to shed one tear, and it only grants permission to visit the island once every forty-nine years! It was a gamble I took. I had to be there, at the right time and right place, and fight pests to get this for you…"
His eyes were darker than usual, and he was happy, "You are insane Torao!"
I cupped his face! "I love you. I will not lose another person I care for to illness or accident or enemies. I will protect you like you have protected me time and again. Let me have this assurance, please, my love."
"Hey Torao," He hugged me.
"Yeah?"
"Let's live together and grow old, and here is your gift."
"What gift? Just stay healthy! That's my gift! Please."
Strawhat-ya kissed me and shoved half of the unicorn tear in my mouth and didn't let me give it back to him. Damn his rubber body, he hid the tear somewhere in that elastic mouth of his! When I swallowed it, I looked at him with angry eyes, but he kissed me more. I could feel the burning inside my body. It was working. "Oh, it's working! It's tingling!"
"You idiot!"
We lay together as the magic or medicine swirled inside us like ocean waves. Every cell in our body burned, and we were sweating. He hugged me tight, as if wanting to hide in my arms. I hugged him back, I wanted to hide him for myself. I wonder who was more selfish, him or I?
Our heartbeats were loud and in sync! The magic was painful, but we had a high tolerance, hence we just let it burn away our hidden pains. But could it cure sorrows of heart? Only time could tell!
Our breathing evened out after a long time. Strawhat-ya's ear was pressed on my chest.
"I love Torao's heartbeat! It's like the sound of a drum— shishishishi. Torao, remember from today onwards we are equal. You will never ever put my life over yourself!"
"I can't promise."
"I will make you understand! Just you wait, you overthinking Emperor of the Sea!" Then he kissed my nose. And just like that he rolled out the words, "I love you, Trafalgar D Water Law!"
The End
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Notes:
This is a gift fic for For my favourite baby MDATriple star, who wanted a confession story!
Hope you like it my baby!
And with that, LawLuWeek 2023 Comes To An End!
** In many myths, Unicorn tears cure grief and heal internal wounds